Cold Feet!
In my last blog we looked at the importance of keeping it simple in marketing. Simple messages to attract potential clients and explain to them, simply, what you do.
This time I’m adding another essential layer. Confidence. Too often, even when someone has created a simple message, they still don’t have the confidence to deliver it. Read on for my advice on how to build confidence in your marketing.
Cold Feet
In January I spent two glorious weeks doing one of my favourite things – skiing. I’ve had lessons from professional instructors and plenty of practice over the years. But the biggest shift in my performance hasn’t come from improving my technique.
It’s come from what I say to myself at the top of the slope. When I say “I can ski this. I know what I’m doing,” I relax, I commit and I ski well. Even on a black run (one of the steep ones.)
When I let that little voice tell me “You can’t do this. You’re going to mess it up,” my body tightens, my turns become wobbly and everything becomes harder than it needs to be.
Same slope. Same skills. Different sentence.
This is something I often see with my clients. While they are looking for marketing support, more often they tell me that what they really need is confidence. Confidence to stand up at a networking event and explain what they do – quickly and concisely. Confidence to charge what they are really worth – and walk away from prospects who won’t pay that. Confidence to deliver a speech for the first time, at a conference.
The difference between confident marketing and wobbly marketing isn’t knowledge or experience. It’s the sentence running in the background when you talk about what you do, what you charge, or who you help.
The January blog was all about how to develop a simple marketing message and you can read it here. Once you’re clear on how to describe what you do, or the key message that you need to deliver, confidence can follow. When you’re certain of your worth and your pricing, you can tell prospects – confidently. This is what gives them the confidence to buy from you.
“I charge ££ for this coaching package. When would you like to start?” shouts confidence in yourself and your service. Compare this to “Well, it’s £ but if you’d like a discount maybe we can talk about that, if that’s too much …”
Who would you rather buy from?
The Marketing Moment
Last month we focused on clarity. This month, let’s add confidence.
Now it’s your turn.
Think about what you say when someone asks: “What do you do?”
Most of us have a wobbly version of this answer. It might be a bit long, a bit apologetic, or full of “sort of”, “kind of” and “it depends”.
Here’s your exercise:
- Write your wobbly version – the sentence you usually say (or think) when you’re not feeling very confident
- Next, write the confident version – the same message, rewritten when you feel completely sure of your value. Shorter, clearer and no apologising or over-explaining.
Send me both of your sentences in a comment here. You don’t need to make them perfect – just honest. I read every response and will give you some feedback if you’d like some.
Confident Marketing is What I Help You Do
Do you have the confidence you need, to shout about how great you really are?
If you don’t feel brave enough to tell potential clients why they should work with you, and pay you what you’re worth, let’s talk. My clients tell me that I hold confidence for them, until they find it for themselves. A bit like being their cheerleader, if you like.
Click here to book a FREE 30 minute Zoom call with me. I guarantee that by the end of the call, we’ll have worked out what’s holding you back. I can show you where to find the confidence you’re missing in your marketing, so that you can take the next step – whatever that might be.
You’ll feel much braver by the end of the call. That’s a promise, so book now!
